Petra Hotels
Picturesque Petra
Fabled hiding place of the Holy Grail in the Indiana Jones epic ‘The Last Crusade’, there is plenty to excite the imagination in this ancient Jordanian city. Archaeology rules in Petra, so if it’s old that you like, you’ll find it here and then some – this city was established around the sixth century BCE on the slope of Mount Hor. ... Read more »
Don your dishdasha (if only for the novelty of asking friends: ‘Hey, do you like my dishdasha?’) and go biblical with a donkey ride through theSiq. Its massive rock crevices dotted with ancient cave dwellings lead to the famous Treasury Building, which appears dramatically as you round the bend. Petra has long been home to Bedouin tribes, but was hidden from the rest of the world until its rediscovery by a Swiss explorer in 1812. His jaw would have dropped at the sight – and 200 years on, it will have the same effect on yours.
PETRA’S TOP 10
10. The Ad-Deir Monastery Reached by a flight of 800 rock-cut steps, this enormous temple is even larger than the Treasury, although not quite as intricate. |
5. Nymphaeum This huge fountain of flowing water in the middle of the desert is dedicated to water nymphs. See if you can spot one… |
9. The Colonnaded Street A fantastic Roman ruin marking the main processional route for ceremonies. |
4. Qasr al Bint (Palace of the Pharaoh’s Daughter) Temple Built from stone, probably to worship Dushara, a Nabataean God. |
8. Roman Theatre Originally built by the Nabataeans, but enlarged into a 7,000-seat amphitheatre by the Romans. 1,500 years later, performances are set to return – which is a relief to the actors who have had to wait on a lot of tables! |
3. The Place of High Sacrifice and the Tombs of Wadi Farasa The steep walk is challenging (two to three hours, depending on the path taken), but so worth it. |
7. Byzantine Church Newly excavated, the intricate mosaic floors are still intact. |
2. The Siq Forms the mile-long creviced, narrow gorge leading to the city of Petra. You can walk or catch a donkey. |
6. Petra Archaeological Museum The museum showcases a small number of the artefacts found on the site. |
1. The Treasury (Khazneh) Truly iconic, this monumental royal tomb carved in rose-coloured rock is unforgettable. |
PETRA EVENTS
Petra Moon hosts an annual pilgrimage to Wadi Rum for the Perseids Meteor Shower in mid-August.
The three-week Amman Summer Festival was launched in1981 by Queen Noor and now includes events at many centres throughout Jordan in late July and early August.
Distant Heat in July is an all-night rave in the Wadi Rum desert. Perfect setting, really, since there’s no one around to complain when it gets too loud!
The New Year’s Eve Bash in Wadi Rum features Bedouin musicians, folklore show, dancing around the fire and fireworks, much feasting and riding of desert beasts.
WHEN TO GO
· March to May is the best time for a visit. The temperatures are warm and the wildflowers are in bloom.
· It can be surprisingly cold in winter and snow sometimes falls on Petra. At night, desert temperatures drop very low even in summer.
· Ramadan, around November, is not great for visitors as eating or drinking in public during the holy time is forbidden, and most stores are closed.
GETTING AROUND
· Getting to Petra from Amman can be tricky. Hiring a taxi is an option and should only cost around 50 dinar.
· You could hire a car, but it is surprisingly difficult to get your hands on a road map.
· Once there, walking or riding a donkey or horse are good options!
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« HideKings Way Inn Petra Hotel
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Wadi Mousa Moses Springs, Petra 71810
Equipped with all the facilities and services for your enjoyment and comfort, the Golden Tulip Kingsway Hotel Petra we... More hotel details
